Derogatory term

[DavidDetroit]

Someone on this forum used the word "Yank" as in "...it's a Yank thing..." to describe people from the US. I wasn't offended or anything but there seemed to be an undertone--not sure why. So, I delved in and tried to decipher what was what. I didn't get a real feel for it; basically, my two minute Google hunt for an answer was inconclusive.
So, I'm asking anyone who's reading this, is "Yank" negative when a person from the UK says it? The only example I know of, that may be related, is when someone from the Southern US says it and then it isn't technically a nice way to describe someone from the North.
I try to be respectful. I only know (think I know, at least) that referring to you fine people as "UK" is okay. On that note, I would also like to know if I called you all, "British" or "Brits" would that be acceptable? I'm not unintelligent but I also refuse to watch the news and like outlets.
As a fun aside, I had my wife, just this evening, clarify (including a beginner's geography lesson) for me how I should label someone of Hispanic origin ( which is the proper term and was way more complicated than I would have expected or preferred). Previously, I thought "Mexican" was okay. I had no malicious intent, just lack of information, I suppose.

Thank you, good people of the United Kingdom!

 

[Gerryjo]

I have no Idea but can only assume no harm was meant as it is certainly shorter to use Yank than Americans.
Besides when watching old war movies the terms Yanks and Limy's was often used.... Besides I've been called Paddy many times but certainly not on this forum as they are quite.a respectful bunch..

 

[Gunge]

Besides when watching old war movies the terms Yanks and Limy's was often used....

Ye... not derogatory, but a term I've always associated with the US military, 'the Yanks are coming', 'the Yanks will sort 'em out' etc. Too much exposure as a kid to the rash of post-war films I suppose... but no idea how the term came about.

 

[LeeH]

It depends on how and when the term is used but generally no, it isn’t derogatory.

 

[Clint]

I'd use yanks as a short version of Americans..no offence intended.
However...when referring to UK or British persons that is potentially a great big can of worms as such is the varied origins of the "British".... indigenous Celts,then invaded by everyone...then even though we live in Britain or the UK many like to be identified as English,Welsh, Scottish or Irish..

 

[Martybhoy]

I've never heard anyone on this side of the Atlantic use the word Yank in a derogatory way. But as you said in your post, in America it may have different connotations.

As for us - Brits, British, Pom. I can't speak for everyone, but were generally not easily offended.

 

[Zephyr259]

It's a diminutive of yankee, wikipedia seems to explain fairly well.

"The informal British and Irish "Yank" refers to Americans in general. It is especially popular among Britons and Australians and sometimes carries pejorative overtones" so you're right that it could be taken or meant negatively but probably wasn't meant that way here.

 

[Norfolk79]

As for us - Brits, British, Pom. I can't speak for everyone, but were generally not easily offended.

Careful there, somebody is bound to be offended on behalf of somebody else on Twitter!

 

[MyQul]

I would say mostly for most of us over here yank is just an interchangable word for American . Whoever wrote "It's a Yank thing could just have easily written "It's an American thing" and meant exactly the same thing (whatever it was)

On the Mexican thing, Mexico is of course a country so, obviously not correct when referring to anyone from Latin America. Its the same as calling everyone from the UK English. The Scots, Irish and Welsh would not be happy

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
During the American Civil War, Billy Yank was a term used by political cartoonists to refer to the average Union soldier, much like GI Joe was used in WWII.

 

[Honk]

However...when referring to UK or British persons that is potentially a great big can of worms even though we live in Britain or the UK many like to be identified as English, Taffs, Jocks or Paddys..

Corrected that for you.

 

[terrym]

Name labels that describe a group of people have probably been around since humans could talk. And they are dynamic in that they come and go. If you go back to wartime Britain you would have heard the terms Yanks, Limeys, Frogs, Krauts used frequently, both in a derogatory and non-derogatory sense. But now all these terms are getting used less, as far as I can see, and replaced by others not necessarily related. Its only recently I came across the term snowflake and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Then there are some words that have been deemed socially unacceptable in my lifetime and most people respond by not using them. The big problem nowadays with social media is that someone gets offended by being called a particular name and within a short space of time society in general find it unacceptable (but probably don't know the reason why) and in some cases it may then be illegal to use it. Social engineering is now a boom industry. However if someone calls me a limey, a rosbif or even an old fart I usually think what's in a name and move on. How anyone can be offended by such a type of name is beyond me. There are far better ways and names you can use to offend someone as most of us know, and such harmless group labels are not in there.

 

[marshbrewer]

To be fair, David, anti American bigotry in the UK usually comes from a certain section of the left and to them the term 'American' is used as to infer an insult; as if a country of 325 million people from 50 semi autonomous States and multiple cultural backgrounds can be summarised in a single insult. It's pretty pathetic really, like most bigotry, and I'd just rise above it if I were you.

 

[Martybhoy]

When I said we're not easily offended over here, I was mainly referring to us us forumites. Of course, the general British public these days seem to be offended by anything and everything.

When I was younger, the terms Gerry helmet and Jap's eye were frequently used. I think these days those terms would be frowned upon.

 

[Gunge]

When I was younger, the terms Gerry helmet and Jap's eye were frequently used. I think these days those terms would be frowned upon.

After last night's smokin' hot vindaloo, I've got a ringpiece like the Japanese flag. No insult or owt, that's just how it is.

 

[simon12]

We are in a world where people are finding the word woman offensive so I have no idea.

 

[Gunge]

However if someone calls me a limey, a rosbif or even an old fart I usually think what's in a name and move on.

Folk can call me whatever they like - I truly do not give a f***. But what is a 'rosbif'??

 

[Ghillie]

Someone on this forum used the word "Yank" as in "...it's a Yank thing..." to describe people from the US. I wasn't offended or anything but there seemed to be an undertone--not sure why.

That someone was me!

No undertones or any sort of offence intended, I made that very clear in the thread. I didn't even know the term Yank could be offensive, excuse my ignorance.

FWIW, and take this however you want, if I wanted to cause offence - I would have chosen a better word. But that's not why I'm here

 

[Honk]

Folk can call me whatever they like - I truly do not give a f***. But what is a 'rosbif'??

I've never heard that term before either so just looked it up

"A derogatory term used by the French for Englishmen, probably because of the enjoyment and pride the English take in their roast beef."

Bloomin Frogs

 

[Ghillie]

But what is a 'rosbif'??

Usually what you have on a Sunday with all the trimmings.